US blood supply hits crisis level again, Red Cross warns

The American Red Cross, the largest US blood supplier providing about 40% of the nation’s supply, says the country is in a blood crisis for the second time in its 150-year history. Extreme heat, wildfires, and summer demand have outpaced donations, forcing hospitals to draw roughly 3,500 more units than usual. Blood must be used within a 42-day shelf life, so stockpiling isn’t possible, and the shortage could affect routine care or lead to diverting patients to other centers, with type O positive especially needed. Canada is also seeing declines in donations.